PROPOSED EVANS BAY RECLAMATION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 12

PROPOSED EVANS BAY RECLAMATION

Inspection Of Site

MR. SEMPLE’S SUGGESTION TO HARBOUR BOARD

A scheme involving the expenditure of £55.000 for the reclamation of 22 acres of Wellington harbour at the southern end of Evans Bay, to make a recreation ground, was discussed at last night's meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board. It was proposed by letter from the Hon. R. Semple, a member of the board, who was granted leave of absence, and the board, agreeing to his request for an inspection of the site, passed a motion to that effect, which also embodied a suggestion from the Hon. IV. Nash. "I have for some time been anxious to bring before the board the possibility of securing for Wellington one of tiie finest recreation grounds in the city by the of approximately 22 acres of the harbour at the southern end of Evans Bay, Mr. Semple wrote. He enclosed a sketch plan which showed the location of the area which could be reclaimed. "You will see that it is of such extent as to make possible the laying out of a good number of football grounds or other playing-fields, which would prove a most valuable asset to Wellington for generations to come. You will agree with me that Wellington is none too well supplied with recreation grounds of this magnitude, and so accessible to the public as this one would be. "I would suggest that the area be filled in to about sft. above high-water mark, which conforms with the height of the Kilbirnie Recreation Reserve. The filling could be obtained from harbour board land on Miramar Quay. In estimating for the work, I have allowed 4/6 a cubic yard, but it may be possible to get the filling cheaper from some other site. Cost of Work. "Protection from the sea could be obtained comparatively cheaply, as the water is not deep here, and the wave action not particularly heavy. I consider that the filling could be adequately protected by pitching the seawith rock at a cost of £B,OOO. Allowing 4/6 a cubic yard for the filling, which necessitates the barrowing of about 200,000 cubic yards, the total cost of the reclamation would be £55,000 but. I think it possible that it would be done for somewhat less. "Of this total at least £20,000 would be spent in wages, so that employment would be given to a fair number of men. For this reason the harbour department might be asked to find a fairly large proportion of the cost. It would be better to spend money from the Unemployment Funds on this work than on some of the work that the city has already spent large sums upon. "I feel strongly that a large recreation ground in this locality is a necessity for the city of Wellington, and I would therefore suggest to you that the harbour board ask the city council and myself, as member for the district, to visit the. spot as soon as possible, and confer upoii the proposal. I think it would also be desirable to have with us the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department to give his advice on the proposal and, if possible, the Minister of Labour. If the board agrees to my proposal I am willing to approach the city council and the Labour Department on the matter, but I consider it my first duty to place the matter before the harbour board. I sincerely trust that Mie board will give this proposal its earnest consideration.”

“Tremendous Asset.” “I think we ought to co-operate in getting this work done,” said Mr. It. McKeen, M.P. The area was next to a large, residential district and if Mr. Semple’s suggestion were carried out it would be a tremendous asset to the city. The original scheme proposed would have cost about £250,000, and the present proposal was a great deal cheaper. He felt sure the city council would co-operate with the hoard in bringing the scheme to fruition. Mr. A. Fletcher agreed that the scheme would, if adopted, result in a wonderful recreation ground. There was, however, another aspect which the board should consider and that was, before anything was adopted, the board would have to decide its future policy as it affected the development of the port. Until that had been considered he did not think it would be wise for the board to ask for city council or outside co-operation. Mr. T. R. Barter moved that the scheme be referred to the general manager and the engineer to bring down a report. He said that when the board discussed reclamation of the same area previously, it had raised “the seven devils of opposition” to the entire scheme. There were several major questions to> be considered, he 1 said, which involved the board in very great expense. Others previously had objected to the scheme and he was not so sure that Mr. Semple had not been among them. The scheme was so important that it should not be decided in a hurry. Mr. C. M. Turrell mentioned that the drainage there was another important aspect of the scheme. He seconded the motion. Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P., said he would support tlie motion. The board, in 1908, had secured the freehold of the land from the Crown and it seemed obvious that the board would not exercise those rights for a considerable time, if at all. The site was unsuitable for wharves or warehouses as it was too far removed from the shipping centre and the water was too shallow.

The Hon. W. Nash said he thought there would be a difficulty ini getting a dinghy up to the shore. V very valuable playing area would be provided if the land were reclaimed, continued Mr. Chapman, but, the board would have) to consider the extent to which it could expend money upon the scheme. “The board has been quite generous in the past, and it would be quite reasonable for the board to be more generous and spend some money on the scheme. That would be a good way of spending some of our surpluses.” The chairman, Mr. D. J. McGowan: We don’t get them now. Mr. Nash said that the letter merely asked for an inquiry. The board had nothing to lose in agreeing to Mr. Semple’s request. If a park could he made it would he a magnificent asset. . The board, however, would still have to decide on the course of action to follow. He was not sure whether the board could use its finances on the scheme. Members of the board agreed to Mr. Nash’s suggestion that Mr. Semple should be asked to appoint an officer of the Public Works Department to inspect the site together with officers of the board and the city engineer. A motion embodying the suggestion was carried.